The 5-day workshop is scheduled for Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20, 2014 and is supported by our National Science Foundation ATE Grant in Emerging Stem Cell Technologies (DUE1104210).

Goal: The goal of the hands-on workshop is to equip faculty with tools to introduce mouse and/or human stem cell technologies into the classroom and laboratory. Participants should already have a cell culture facility and cell culture curriculum at their institution. Participants will learn stem cell techniques including:

· Aseptic techniques

· Routine maintenance and culturing of stem cells

· Light and epifluorescence microscopy

· PCR-based gene expression profiling for germ layer analysis

· Methods for directed differentiation from pluripotent cultures

· Emerging technologies including genomic editing in stem cells

Reducing Costs to Make Stem Cell Courses Practical: The cost of specialized media and the purchase of specific growth factors and reagents is a major barrier to introducing hands-on stem cell instruction. To address this issue, participants will learn how to make expensive items in their own lab. Participants will have the opportunity to create plasmid expression constructs for key signaling factors, including FGF and LIF, which are often cost-prohibitive components in specialized Stem Cell media. Techniques for factor expression and purification will be covered.

Instructional Materials: Participants will receive a comprehensive Stem Cell Manual with industry-supported protocols and prepared lectures. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact with industry and academic experts who are at the forefront of discovery and innovation in this very rapidly evolving field.

Logistics: Lodging at the Madison Crowne Plaza Hotel for Sunday-Thursday nights and local shuttle service will be provided at no cost to participants. Breakfasts and lunches are also included. Participants who are not local to Wisconsin will receive a $500 stipend that can be used for airfare, dinners, and other travel expenses. Local participants will receive a $200 stipend that can be used for expenses. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Please plan to stay until 1:00 on Friday, if possible.

RSVP Required: A limited number of spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis to faculty at institutions that have the facilities to work with stem cells. Feel free to contact Dr. Tom Tubon directly with any questions that may arise regarding this opportunity (tubon@madisoncollege.edu, 608 246-6875).